DENIKI

STATION 15

Deniki, a small village located about eight kilometres south of Kokoda,was the seventh staging post on the Kokoda Track. Higher than Kokoda, it was possible from Deniki to see into the Yodda Valley and discern Kokoda and its nearby airstrip. Deniki figured prominently in the history of the 39th Battalion. It was to this area that the elements of the battalion that had been engaged at Oivi withdrew on 27 July 1942. Here they met up with Lieutenant Colonel W.T. Owen and the small force that had withdrawn from Kokoda. Together the troops returned briefly to Kokoda before again withdrawing to Deniki after a short engagement on 28 July which saw the death of Lieutenant Colonel Owen.

Gradually the various companies of the battalions arrived at Deniki after marching over the Kokoda Track. By 6 August there were over 600 troops including about 40 from the Papuan Infantry Battalion. On 4 August Major Alan Cameron, the Brigade Major of the 30 Brigade, (of which the 39th Battalion was part) arrived to take command of the 39th Battalion. He ordered an attack to regain Kokoda, but the main part of his force was halted north of Deniki. The following day the Japanese attacked Deniki without success. It was not until 13 August that all the companies that had been deployed to attack Kokoda had returned to Deniki.

The previous two weeks had been a trying time for the young soldiers of the 39th Battalion. Some companies had an average age of only eighteen. The soldiers were tired and short of food but put up a firm defence when the Japanese attacked again on 13 August. When the Japanese attack eased, however, Major Cameron decided to withdraw his battalion up the hill to Isurava and the troops were in their new positions by the end of the day.

It might be wondered why the Japanese had not pushed their attacks with more persistence. The initial force that landed at Buna and Gona on 22 July had however, been tasked only to carry out a reconnaissance to the foothills. On 28 July Tokyo ordered the Japanese commander at Rabaul to send additional forces to Papua to advance over the Owen Stanley Range and seize Port Moresby. These forces, which together formed the South Seas Force under Major General Horii, began to arrive at Buna in mid and late August. By 26 August

1942-08. Wounded members of the 39th Infantry Battalion making their way back.(AWM 026319)

Major-General Horii had some 13,500 troops of whom some 10,000 formed a well-balanced fighting group consisting of five infantry battalions, mountain and anti-aircraft artillery, engineers and pioneers. They were supported by native carriers. The 39th Battalion had been forced back from Kokoda to Deniki and then to Isurava by a well experienced and stronger Japanese battalion with engineer support, but was soon to face attack from a much larger force.

During the counter-offensive in October and November there was no fighting at Deniki. After the hard fought battle at Eora Creek the Japanese withdrew and on 2 November the leading units of the 2/31st Battalion passed through Deniki and entered Kokoda.

Upcoming Events

A living memorial

The Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway is a living memorial and a principal site of commemoration honouring all those who fought for Australia during World War II.

A principal focus is on the sacrifices made during key Papua New Guinea battles which took place in 1942-43 along the Kokoda Track, at Milne Bay on the south-eastern tip of Papua, and at Buna, Gona, and Sanananda on the northern coastline.

The Walkway covers more than 800 metres from Rhodes Station to Concord Hospital in Sydney’s inner-west, and runs along the mangrove-studded shores of Brays Bay on the Parramatta River.

At the centrepiece are magnificent granite walls bearing photographic images of the Kokoda campaign. There are 22 audio-visual stations along the Walkway, each describing a significant place or military engagement. The Walkway has been planted with lush tropical vegetation simulating the conditions of The Kokoda Track.

The Centenary of ANZAC and the GREAT WAR

July to December 1917

European Theatre

Sept.– Nov. Third Battle of Ypres (Belgium)

British forces planned to break through the strongly fortified German defences enclosing the Ypres salient, a protruding bulge in the British front line. There were a number of fierce separate engagements. Only small advancements were possible in the saturated terrain, and the hoped for breakthrough never eventuated. Australian divisions participated in a number of key attacks:

Sept. 20 Menin Road Belgium

Sept. 26 Polygon Wood Belgium

Oct. 4 Broodseinde Belgium

Oct. 9 Poelcappelle Belgium

Oct. 12 Passchendaele Belgium

Three successful pushes – Menin Road, Polygon Wood and Broodseinde – in September and early October steadily drove the Germans back to the top of Passchendaele ridge. Through October and into November, wet weather and sheer exhaustion meant further attacks became hopelessly bogged down. Though the final ridge was eventually gained, continued penetration of German positions proved unachievable. Losses were horrendous on both sides. During the five-month campaign, almost half a million men were lost. The fighting in these weeks cost the Australians another 38,000 casualties.

Middle East Theatre

Among the many battles that took place in the 2nd half of 1917, there is one name that stands out above all others in the desert war involving Australian mounted forces:

Beersheba (Palestine) Oct. 31

The battle of Beersheba took place on 31 October 1917 as part of the wider British offensive collectively known as the third Battle of Gaza. The final phase of this all day battle was the famous mounted charge of the 4th Light Horse Brigade. General Grant gave the order personally to the 12th Light Horse Regiment: “men you’re fighting for water. There’s no water between this side of Beersheba and Esani. Use your bayonets as swords. I wish you the best of luck”. The capture of Beersheba enabled British Empire forces to break the Ottoman line near Gaza on 7 November and advance into Palestine.